A Letter from our Principal and A Notice from TEA About Cell Phone Use at MISD and During TAKS Testing
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January 26, 2006
Dear Parent/Guardian:
This is a reminder about the rules pertaining to possession and use of cell phones and paging devices at school. The Midland Independent School District's Student Code of Conduct currently has provisions prohibiting the possession of cell phones and paging devices inside school buildings during regular school hours. Cell phones and paging devices may be confiscated by the campus administrator and may result in the assignment of additional consequences.
In addition, the Texas Education Agency now requires school districts to implement procedures preventing the use of cell phones by students during test administrations. In an effort to comply with this requirement, please be advised that possession and/or use of cell phones or paging devices by students during test administrations will result in disciplinary action under the penalties for academic dishonesty. Also, the State requires that students who possess, display, turn on, or use cell phones or paging devices during the administration of a state test must have that test coded for a test administration irregularity. Tests with the "irregularity" code will not be scored by the state and, consequently, the student will not meet state requirements for the test.
Because of the serious implications that may occur as a result of possession and/or use of cell phones or paging devices in school buildings during regular school hours, and especially during testing, we ask you to assist us in enforcing this rule. If we can answer any questions or be of further assistance, please contact us at 689-6200.
Sincerely,
Deborah L. Jordan,
Principal
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TEA, MISD PROHIBIT CELL PHONES DURING STATE TESTING
Contact: Melissa Hendrix-Beach, Director of Communications Services, 689-1984
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 11:58 AM
Subject: Press Release: TEA, MISD prohibit cell phone use during testing
MISD students will face stiff penalties if they have cell phones when taking state tests, said Teresa Moore, executive director of administrative services. Testing regulations from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) were handed down to districts in Texas as a way to combat dishonesty during test taking. The TEA regulations could result in a student having to repeat the TAKS test if they are caught with a cell phone or use a cell phone in the testing area. The regulations also apply to pagers.
Midland ISD already has a policy in place for the use and possession of cell phones and pagers by students. Currently, the MISD Student Code of Conduct prohibits the possession of cell phones and paging devices inside school buildings during regular school hours. The Code of Conduct even says cell phones and paging devices may be confiscated by the campus administrator and may result in additional consequences. But the TEA has raised the bar for students and the consequences of possessing a cell while taking a state mandated assessment, and it could cost them a test score.
According to the state regulation, if a student displays, turns on or uses any paging device during the administration of a state test, the student's test will be coded as an "O." This code designates a test administration irregularity and determines the student's test will not be scored by the state. Moore said the district is taking the state regulation seriously and hopes parents will too. "Cell phones and pagers are part of the every day landscape for children and adults. We strongly believe in the importance of families maintaining a connection to each other through this medium, but MISD will enforce school policies and state testing regulations," she said. State mandated testing for the school district begins in February. Because of the serious implications that may occur as a result of the regulations on cell phones and paging devices in school buildings and during testing, parents should assist in enforcing the rule. |
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